2016 Emails Between Wilshire Center BID And The City Of LA or Tara Devine

Subject: Invitation: More DWP Reform Meetings

From: "Council President Herb Wesson" <councilman.wesson@lacity.org>
Date: 05/1 3/201 6 12:11 PM

To: "mike@wilshirecenter.com" <mike@wilshirecenter.com>

Los Angeles Council President

Herb J. Wesson, Jr.

Dear Friend:

Your voice matters and is an important part of the Los Angeles City Council's
efforts to reform the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP). The
DWP is the largest publicly-owned utility in the nation and ratepayers who
own the utility, deserve a department that is responsive to their needs. As
such, I am calling on our city's Neighborhood Councils, alliances and other
community groups to get involved and offer input and ideas on how to better
improve the accountability, operations, and affordability of the department.
The Rules, Elections, Intergovernmental Relations and Neighborhoods
committee, which I chair, has proactively sought out feedback from
community members and conducted several regional meetings citywide since
February.

On Tuesday, May 17, 10AM, the City Council will hold a public meeting and
discussion on the various reforms aimed at enhancing DWP governance. No
action will be taken at the meeting, but members of the public are encouraged
to attend to provide testimony and ideas for reform. The City Council must
put forth recommendations for reform and vote on ballot language by July 1 in
order to qualify for the November General Election.

One final community hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 6PM, at
West Angeles Performing Arts Theater. Please attend and invite your friends
and neighbors to participate.

Attached to this email is a flyer for next week's community hearing and an
easy-to-read fact sheet explaining what DWP reform is all about.

So pull up a chair, and have a seat at the table. Use social media to get
involved using ?#?DWP Reform. All ideas welcomed. For more information,
please visit www.dwpreform.lacitv.org.

HERB J. WESSON JR., CHAm

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI

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WEST ANGELES PERFORMING ARTS THEATER*
3020 CRENSHAW BLVD., 90016
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
6;00 — 8:00PM

•NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION

nwp Governance Reform

FAQ

Q. What s DWP reform?

DWP reform refers to the Cit1/ Council s efforts to restructure the Department of
Water and Power (DWP) to better ensure an efficient, nimble and responsive
Department, DWP reform was initiated by a City Council motion (16-0093)
authored by Council member Felipe Fuentes, seconded by Council President Herb J.
Wesson Jr. and Councilmember Mitch Q'Farrell. DWP reform has a broad-based
coalition of support including Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Controller Ron Galperin,

Q. What need; to be refer ired?

It has been suggested that OWP needs to become more nimble and customer-
focused. To make these reforms sustainable and efficient, most require changing
the City Charter. This requires a vote of the people and City leaders have
committed to putting options before voters later this year.

Accountability

Today, no single entity has authority over the Department. The multiple layers of
oversight add time and cost to simple operational tasks.

Operations

In order to make the Department's operations more efficient,, nimble and
responsive reforms to the hiring and civil service process, procurement and
contracting procedures and legal representation are actively being considered,
Reforms in these areas are critical for the Department to cope with an aging
workforce, hiring new and mid- career people with utility -specific skills and operate
in a more business-like fashion.

Affordability

To continue providing reliable service, DWP needs to make long-term investments
in its infrastructure, systems and employees. Rates should be set in a way that
allows the Department to meet its goals while maintaining competitive pricing with
other utilities and affordability for ratepayers, Changes to the ratemaking process,

i

Office of Council President Herb J, Wesson Jr,

2G0 \i, Soring Street Rocn 43C , Los Angelas. CA 9C-G12
[213) 473-7C10

DWP fwoyernance Reform

the structure of the City Transfer and creating a rate structure that can better
serve public purposes are an important part of the DWP reform discussion.

Q. Can the public be involved?

Yes. The City Council Es encouraging all residents, ratepayers and stakeholders to
get involved. The City Council is taking its responsibilities and commitment to
transparency very seriously and has launched a robust public outreach campaign
to ensure all stakeholders have an opportunity to offer input. The robust public
outreach campaign includes public committee hearings, City Council meetings, and
community forums. Additionally, Council President Herb J. Wesson, Jr. is
encouraging residents to use social media to offer suggestions for reform using
#DWPRefomn.

Q, Will Neighborhood Councils and Neighborhood Council Alliances have a

prominent role?

Yes. In his first action, Council President Herb Wesson sent a letter inviting all
Neighborhood Councils and Neighborhood Council Alliances to hold local
discussions on DWP reform at their March and April meetings and provide City
Co un dim embers with Community Impact Statements, local comments, feedback,
and community specific white papers.

The Council President has also called upon Neighborhood Council Alliances to
partner with the City Council's Rules, Elections, Intergovernmental Relations and
Neighborhoods (RE3RN) Committee and Mayor Eric GarcettS's office to coordinate
regional townhall meetings on the subject throughout the spring.

Q. Where can I get more information?

The City Council has launched a comprehensive website which contains
background materials, documents and committee hearing podcasts om the issue of
DWP reform, The w e bs ite - d w preform . la ci ty, o ra - can be accessed 24 -hours a day,
seven days a week,

intended fo provide baseline information. More specifics can be round st dwpreform. sdb/.orc

2

Office of Council President Herb J, Wesson, ]r,

2C0 N, Spring Stree:, Room 43G Los Angeles, CA 9CC 12
(213) 473-7010

Sincerely,

Herb J. Wesson, Jr.

Council President

Councilmember, 10th Council District

This message was sent to mike@wilshirecenter.com by:

Coucilmember Herb J. Wesson, Jr.

Los Angeles Council District 10

200 N. Spring St. Room 430
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7010

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